New responsibility recommendations support employers in healthcare and social welfare sector international recruitment 

As international recruitment becomes increasingly common in the healthcare and social welfare sector, it is important to ensure that employers have sufficient competence to manage recruitment responsibly. Responsibility recommendations prepared to support recruitment promote consideration of ethical aspects and combat risks of labour exploitation.

The healthcare and social welfare sector in Finland suffers from a significant shortage of skilled labour. One way to meet this challenge is to recruit sector professionals from abroad. 

The proportion of foreign labour in healthcare and social welfare sector occupational groups is currently only a few per cent, but it is estimated that approximately 10 per cent of the sector’s additional labour requirements could be covered by international recruitment by 2030. This means that employers and workplaces in the sector must develop their recruitment and internationalisation skills within a short period of time.

The recommendations have been prepared as part of the work of The Programme to Ensure the Sufficiency and Availability of Healthcare and Social Welfare Personnel, coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The objective is to promote consideration of responsibility aspects in international recruitment and to combat risks of labour exploitation. The recommendations are broadly intended for sector actors, such as health and social services organisers as well as public and private service providers. 

“Combating exploitation is a prerequisite for us to be able to promote sustainable and ethical work-based immigration. It is important for employers to recognise the risks of exploitation associated with international recruitment and to ensure responsible conduct throughout the recruitment process, starting from the country of origin,” emphasises Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.

Responsibility recommendations as a support ethical recruitment

The responsibility recommendations contain information on, among other things, the legislation to be taken into account, the selection of recruitment partners, employment agency fees, and the protection of workers’ rights. The recommendations also provide guidance on how employers can support employees in settling and integrating in Finland.

“When recruiting from abroad for the healthcare and social welfare sector, it is important to ensure that the workers moving to Finland can obtain the qualifications for and be employed in positions corresponding to their skills and education. Employees should also be supported in integrating into Finnish society, for example by promoting real opportunities for language studies,” says Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru.

The recommendations have been prepared by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control HEUNI in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and a broad stakeholder group consisting of sector experts and labour market organisations.

Inquiries:
Emily Strohm, Special Adviser to Minister of Employment, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047160
Katri Niskanen, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 373
Taina Mäntyranta, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Medical Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 692